Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ona steamed crab. Adding tothe charm are the surrounding floating houses, and seals that
hangoutwaitingforhandouts.AnenjoyablewaytoreachBarb'sisbyferryfromtheInner
Harbour. Also on Fisherman's Wharf is
The Fish Store
(250/383-6462, 11am-6pm daily,
longer hours in summer) sells a wide variety of local seafood, as well as fish and chips,
fish tacos, and other light meals.
Occupying a prime downtown location on a floating dock amid whale-watching boats,
seaplanes, and shiny white leisure craft, the
M
Flying Otter Grill
(950 Wharf St., 250/
414-4220,11am-10pmMon.-Fri.,8am-10pmSat.-Sun.,$16-22)isjuststepsfromthemain
tourist trail, but it's far enough removed to make it a popular haunt with locals wanting
a quiet, casual, waterfront meal. The setting alone makes the Flying Otter a winner, but
themenuisaknockout.Choosepan-friedoystersorgrilledchili-limemarinatedprawnsto
share, and then move on to mains like seafood risotto. To get there, walk north along the
harbor from the information center.
Touristy
Wharfside Seafood Grille
(1208 Wharf St., 250/360-1808, lunch and dinner
daily, $19-29) is a bustling waterfront complex with a maritime theme and family atmo-
sphere. Behind a small café section and a bar is the main dining room and a two-story
deck,wherealmosteverytablehasastunningwaterview.Seafoodstarterstoshareinclude
a tasting plate of salmon and mussels steamed in a creamy tomato broth. The lunchtime
appetizers run through to the evening menu, which also includes wood-fired pizza, stand-
ard seafood dishes under $30, and a delicious smoked chicken and wild mushroom penne.
The cheesecake is heavenly.
Victoria's small Chinatown surrounds a short, colorful strip of Fisgard Street between
Store and Government Streets. The restaurants welcome everyone, and generally the
menus are filled with all of the familiar Westernized Chinese choices. Near the top (east)
end of Fisgard is
QV Café and Bakery
(1701 Government St., 250/384-8831, 7am-11pm
daily, $7-12) offering inexpensive Western-style breakfasts in the morning and Chinese
delicacies the rest of the day.
One of the least expensive places in the area is
Wah Lai Yuen
(560 Fisgard St., 250/
381-5355, 10am-8pm daily, $8-16), a simply decorated, well-lit restaurant with fast and
efficient service. The wonton soups are particularly good, try the Szechwan prawns, or get
adventurous and order salted squid. Out front is a bakery with offerings such as peanut al-
mond soft cake.
